Suffolk soccer: Lindenhurst storms into semis after beating Sachem East
A late surge and two goals from Gail Roquez Guerrero carried the No. 5 Bulldogs to a 4-1 victory over No. 4 Sachem East on Monday night.
By Christopher Singh ·
Lindenhurst fans will now have a new team to watch this week. The No. 5 Bulldogs secured a spot in the Suffolk AAA semifinals after defeating No. 4 Sachem East 4-1 on Monday night. The win ends Sachem East’s season and sends Lindenhurst to a difficult matchup against the top-seeded Brentwood on Thursday.
Gail Roquez Guerrero, the senior captain, played the deciding role in the contest. He scored twice, both goals resulting from loose balls in the penalty box. The first came in the ninth minute. After a deflected pass from Tom Andreone, Sachem East goalkeeper Kevin Weeks saved the initial attempt. Roquez Guerrero chased down the rebound and finished the play. He added his second goal in the 57th minute by crashing a rebound off a shot from Anthony Rodriguez.
Lindenhurst built its lead in the second half. Max Lombardo won a free kick just outside the 18-yard box early in the second half. He curled the shot with his right foot around the wall and into the top right corner. Daurin Soler headed in a cross from Rodriguez in the 69th minute to extend the margin. Markos Kilimitzoglou provided the only goal for Sachem East.
The result marks a sharp contrast to the start of the season. Lindenhurst began the year with five losses in its first seven games. The team has since turned that record around, finishing the season with an 11-6 record. Coach Joe Riemma noted that his 15 seniors now understand the urgency of the moment. “I think they’re getting it now, that this is it,” Riemma said.
Sachem East, who finished with a 12-5 record, relied heavily on its goalkeeper. Kevin Weeks made 10 saves to keep the game close for most of the match. Coach Matt Stallone praised Weeks for his development as a leader over the past two seasons. “I’m super proud of his senior season,” Stallone said.
Roquez Guerrero described the mood on the bus ride to the game. The team was initially loud and excited, but silence set in as they approached the stadium. “We all needed to concentrate on what was coming up,” Roquez Guerrero said. The Bulldogs’ attacking unit, which includes Roquez Guerrero, Max Lombardo, his twin brother Gianni Lombardo, and Rodriguez, has combined for 29 goals and 18 assists this season. Riemma noted that defenders struggle to mark the group because the team can slide the ball to different players quickly. Lindenhurst will travel to Brentwood for the semifinal round.
